Microfeeds - the challenges of producing tiny fish food

Imagine trying to develop a nutritious fish feed for a very picky eater that is only 5 mm long. That’s the challenge scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao are tackling as they work to develop new foods for larval fish. Their research could help reduce reliance on traditional live feeds and support a more resilient aquaculture industry, one of the world’s fastest-growing food production sectors. In this episode of Scigest, scientist and host Julie Blommaert joins scientist Hemi Cumming to explore the surprisingly complex world of feeding tiny fish.  They discuss the challenge of creating a microfeed that delivers the right nutrition while also behaving like the live food larval fish naturally respond to. One of the main live feeds currently used in aquaculture is Artemia, brine shrimp many people will know as Sea-Monkeys. But relying on Artemia comes with risks, including supply uncertainty and the potential for disease. Could a specially designed microfeed provide a more reliable alternative? Dive into the science behind creating very small food for very small fish and discover why getting it right could make a big difference for the future of aquaculture. To view our full catalogue of podcasts including extra links on some podcasts please go to our Scigest pages: www.plantandfood.com/scigest